Meet the site
Tea Tree is the second of the two Penola Park Estate sinkholes at Wye, alongside Horse and Cart. The CDAA's description sets expectations clearly: eight metres of ladder required, water cold and dark, much tree debris, shallow silty floor, eels. It is graded Basic Cave.
Unlike the big open sinkholes of Mount Schank, Tea Tree is small, shaded and gloomy. Light struggles to reach the water, the floor is shallow and covered in fine silt, and branches and trunks have accumulated over the years. The eels are the resident attraction – short-finned eels are common in the region's springs and sinkholes and here they hide among the timber. Visibility depends entirely on how gently the first diver moves; a couple of careless kicks turn the water brown.
For most divers it is a novelty rather than a destination: an easy phone call or email to the owners, a ladder descent, and a short exploratory dive that can be combined with Horse and Cart on the same visit. It is also a reasonable place for Basic Cave divers to practise buoyancy and trim in poor visibility without any overhead. Bring a good primary light even though it is technically an open sinkhole, and be ready for cold – shaded water feels colder than it is on long, slow dives.
Private-owner goodwill keeps sites like this available, so follow the owners' instructions, leave gates as found and carry out any rubbish. Combine it with Horse and Cart for a relaxed morning on the estate.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Tea Tree is recorded as Sinkhole/Cenote in Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Tea Tree suitable for my certification?
The record lists Cave/Cavern certification. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Tea Tree through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Short-finned eels, small native fish, freshwater crustaceans
Location
A dark, cold farm sinkhole with a shallow silty floor and tree debris on Penola Park Estate at Wye, reached by an 8 m ladder.
Facilities nearby
None – farm parking. Fills in Mount Gambier.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
cavedivers.com.aucavedivers.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.